Wat Arun, officially named Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchaworamahawihan, is a historic Buddhist temple located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, Thailand. Known as the Temple of Dawn, it is one of Thailand’s most iconic landmarks, renowned for its stunning riverside location, intricate architecture, and cultural significance.
The origins of Wat Arun date back to the Ayutthaya period (1351–1767), when it was a modest temple known as Wat Makok (Temple of the Olive), named after the tamarind trees in the area. It served as a local place of worship in what was then the village of Bang Makok, before Bangkok became the capital. The temple’s early history is tied to the broader religious and cultural landscape of the region, which was under the influence of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.
Wat Arun gained significant prominence during the Thonburi period (1767–1782) when King Taksin the Great, after the fall of Ayutthaya to the Burmese in 1767, established his new capital in Thonburi. King Taksin chose ...
The history of the Chedi at Wat Raeng (also referred to as Wat Daeng, meaning “Red Temple”) in Suphan Buri, Thailand, is tied to its status as an ancient, abandoned temple from the early Ayutthaya period (roughly 14th–15th century).
Wat Raeng is located south of Wat Sanam Chai in Suphan Buri, Thailand. It is an abandoned temple (wat raang) with no active monastic community, and its primary surviving structure is a single, ancient chedi.
The chedi is a round stupa, characteristic of the early Ayutthaya architectural style. Its base may have originally been octagonal, though severe deterioration makes this uncertain. The chedi’s bell-shaped body (anda) is relatively large compared to earlier U Thong-style stupas, with a throne (baldachin) and ringed spire elements. The topmost part, likely a harmika or finial (the “dewdrop” or jewel), has been lost due to damage over time. The surrounding area is open, surrounded by water, with scattered brick fragments indicating its antiquity.
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Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, also known as Wat Phra Mahathat, is an ancient Buddhist temple located in the old city area of Suphan Buri Province, Thailand, specifically in Rua Yai Subdistrict along the western bank of the Tha Chin River. Its history spans several centuries, blending influences from the Khmer Empire and the Ayutthaya Kingdom, though exact founding details remain unclear due to a lack of definitive historical records.
Origins and Early History
The temple’s origins are believed to trace back to the Khmer period (approximately 11th-13th centuries), during the height of Khmer influence in the region. The central prang (a tower-like stupa) is thought to have been originally constructed as a gopura (gateway tower) during this era, reflecting Khmer architectural styles similar to those seen in Angkor. This structure, made entirely of clay bricks with a plastered exterior, symbolizes Mount Meru in Buddhist cosmology and was designed to house relics of the Buddha. The prang features a square base with an entrance niche and ...
Wat Phra Loi, located in Suphan Buri, Thailand, is one of the province’s ancient temples, with a history deeply rooted in the region’s cultural and religious heritage. While the exact date of its construction and its founder remain unknown, historical evidence suggests it was likely built during the mid-reign of King U-Thong, the founder of the Ayutthaya Kingdom (1350–1400), placing its origins in the early to mid-Ayutthaya period. This estimation is based on the architectural style of the temple’s ruins, including the brick ordination hall (Ubosot) and sema boundary stones, which are characteristic of that era.
The temple’s name, “Wat Phra Loi,” translates to “Temple of the Floating Buddha” and originates from a legendary event. According to local tradition, a white sandstone Buddha statue in the Naga Prok posture, believed to date back to the Lopburi period (11th–13th centuries), was discovered floating down the Tha Chin River (also known as the Suphan River). Villagers ...
